Texas Legislature Passes 'Merry Christmas Bill'

The Texas Legislature has gone on the offensive in the so-called "War on Christmas," passing a bill making it legal for teachers to say, "Merry Christmas" and "Happy Hanukkah" during the December holidays.

Gov. Rick Perry plans to sign the bill into law.

"This bill is about the freedom of religion, not freedom from religion, and Gov. Perry supports it," his spokesman Josh Havens told The Huffington Post.

State Rep. Dwayne Bohac, a Republican, sponsored the legislation. He said he got the idea after his 6-year-old son told him his class had decorated the holiday tree with holiday decorations at school.

"I was a little bit flabbergasted and a little bit upset that we've become so politically correct that we can't call a federal holiday by its name," Bohac told KTBC-TV in Austin.

Republican state Sen. Robert Nichols introduced the companion bill in the Senate. He said he is afraid it's "becoming less culturally acceptable to openly celebrate these holidays in the ways past generations have."

The "Merry Christmas Bill" allows for the display of Christmas trees, nativity scenes, and menorahs. Any displays during the holiday season must represent more than one religion or include secular symbols.